Disk brake



; June 14, 1960 DISK'BRAKE Filed Jan. 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A. F. ERICKSON 2,940,548

IN VEN TOR.

Union E Erickson June 14, 1960 A. F. ERICKSON 2,940,543

DISK BRAKE Filed Jan. 18, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5/ a 60 7e 9 j 72 1/ 25 IN V EN TOR.

Onion E Erickson BY 6 1/. Wm

DISK BRAIQ) Filed Jan. 18, 1956, Ser. No. 559,971

8 Claims. (Cl. 188-72) This invention relates to a disk brake for motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved structural arrangement of a disk brake inwhich the brake disk is carried by the wheel of the vehicle, a plurality of suspension links being provided between the wheel and the disk to provide for relative movement between the disk and the Wheel while concurrently effecting driving of the disk from the wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism and brake shoe retraction unit by which a constant spring pressure is applied to the brake shoe for retraction of the shoe when it is released irrespective of any adjustment of the shoe relative to the brake disk.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement for actuating the movable shoe of the brake wherein the cylinder is provided with a removable lining of a material substantially ditterent from the housing that supports the cylinder. More specifically, the housing that supports the cylinder is made of a light weight material such as aluminum whereas the cylinder sleeve that supports the actuating piston is made from a material that provides a good bearing surface between the actuating piston, and the cylinder wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light Weight brake housing for a disk brake that incorporates a removable bridge to elfect strengthening of the housing and also provide a closure cap for the live end of a wheel spindle.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational rear view of a brake structure incorporating features of this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the brake structure taken along line 22 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1 illustrating the adjusting mechanism for the brake.

Figure 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 1 illustrating the connecting link between the brake disk and the Wheel of the vehicle.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a portion of the vehicle wheel.

In this invention the motor vehicle wheel carries a live spindle 11 that is supported upon the anti-friction bearings 12 and 13. The bearings 12 and 13 are supported Within a hub 14 that is connected to a steering knuckle support plate 15. The steering knuckle support plate 15 is attached to the motor vehicle by the arms 16 in conventional manner to provide for steering of the wheel 10.

The spindle 11 is held Within the hub and hearing assembly by means of a nut 17 provided on the threaded end 18 of the spindle 11. A suitable grease seal 19 is nited States Patent 0 provided between the hub 14 and the spindle 11 to prevent loss of lubricant from within the hub.

The disk brake of this invention comprises a two part housing formed by an outboard housing part 20 and an inboard housing part 21. The housing parts 20 and 21 are secured together by means of the bolts 22 that also extend through the flange 23 of the hub 14 whereby the brake housing 20, 21 is stationarily mounted on the stationary hub 14.

The housing part 20 has a radially extending wall 25 on opposite sides of the axis of the spindle. The walls 25 support friction elements 26 that are adapted to be engaged by one side of a rotating brake disk 30. Suitable friction materials, such as compounded organic friction lining materials or metallic elements can be used for the frlctoin elements 26. The friction elements 26 are suitably attached to the housing walls 25, rivets 27 being illustrated as the attaching means in the drawing.

The housing part 21 has radially extending walls 35 that are substantially parallel with the radially extending walls 25 of the housing part 20 and provide therebetween a space 40 in which the brake disk 30 is placed.

The brake disk 30 consists of a disk member having spaced wall portions 31 disposed in parallel relation and held in this relationship by radially extending ribs 32 whereby to provide radial air passages 33 between the Wall portions 31. The disk 30 has a central opening 34 through which air passes to enter the radial air passages 33. Air passing. through the disk 30 removes heat from the walls 31.

The disk 30 is supported upon the rim 36 of the vehicle wheel 10 by means of three link members 41. One end of the link members 41 is connected with the brake disk 30 by means ofa pin 42, the link element 41 being straddled by the walls 31 as more particularly shown in Fig. 4. The pin 42 is retained in the brake disk 30 by means of 'a retaining washer 43. The opposite end of the link 41 is carried upon a pin 45 that projects from a plate 46 carried between a pair of studs 47. The. inner ends of the studs 47 are threaded for insertion into the retaining nuts.48 whereby to hold the flanged annulus 49 on the rim 36.

The wheel 10 is removable from the hub 14 upon removal of the retaining nut 17 on the spindle 11, the links 41 being slidable axially of the pins 45 to allow for removal of the .wheel from the brake assembly.

To prevent the disk 30 from dropping relative to the axle 11 when the wheel is removed from the hub, there is provided a plurality of projections 50 that are spaced within the interior of the brake disk, 21 very small clearance space 51 being provided between the projections 50 and the internal diameter of the brake disk 30 to prevent any substantial movement of the brake disk relative to the brake housing under this circumstance.

The brake disk 30, which incidentally is in the form of an annulus, in engaged by movable brake shoes which carry friction elements 61 that are similar to the friction elements 26. Each of the brake shoes 60 is supported upon a pair of anchor members 65, as more particularly shown in Fig. 3, the brake shoes being movable axially'of the anchor members 65 to effect engagement with the brake annulus 30 and move it into engagementwith the friction elements '26 on the brake housing. The brake annulus 30 is therefore movable relative to the vehicle wheel 10 that supports the brake annulus, this movement being concurrent with a braking operation.

Each of the anchor members 65 includes a retraction element to return themovable brake shoes 60 into a retracted position out of engagement with the brake annulus 30 and includes a structural arrangement by which the anchor members 65 also provide the necessary adjustment for moving the brake shoes 60 relative to the brake 30-toestablish the desired operating clearance between the brake disk and thefriction elements of the brake.

The anehormembersfid each consists of'a thimble 70 that. has'areduced d ameter portion-7-1 thatfsupports the; brake shoe 60 and on which the brakelslioeisfslidable analyst "the 'thiinbfl. ;T;he reduced diameter portion-71 of the thimble-70Eprovidesa shoulder 72-against wl1ich tlie i brake shoe 60' is held by'rneans of a'retraction-spring-B' that is contained within the annular bore-740i the thimlile 70: One end of the retract-ion'spring 73' is engaged by the V cap 75 through-which'a headed'nail 76 extends; Theopposite end of the nail 7 has a headed end 77'that engages a' c'ap-7 8 that in turn'engage's theshoe -60'-tolhold -the shoe againstthe shoulder 72 ofthe1thimble70} 'Tlie thimble 70" has a threaded externalf periphery 79 that is-' receivedin a threaded-opening 80 in the housing wall 35 whereby the thimble '79 can h e-moved axially:

relative to'the wall 3'5 and'thereby' adjustthe'position' of 'within a cylinder 92'. The cylinder 92 has a threaded endportion 93 that is" received in a threaded portion 94' of a cavity 9 provided; in a boss 96 of the housing element 21. A seal 97 is provided between theremovable cylinder 92 and the bottom of the cavity, 95 topreventloss of fluid fromwthe hydraulicrfluid' chamber 98iprovided-between the piston91 and ,the bottom ofathe cavity 95% A piston seal member 99'is carried by the piston 91.

An-xactnatin'g pin1100 extends between the piston Hand 7 the movable shoei60 to"eftectiactuation ofthe brakeshoei in response tomovementof the piston 91 Hydraulic fluid'under pressure from'a conventional"masterjcylinder' c io li uPP R hi i h' e t ne insjl o etfectl operation-of the piston; 91; A: rubber cup 1Q2"ex-:

tends; between theremovable cylinder 92" and the pin '10'0' toprevent entrance of dirt'into the cylinderii92 p Sincefthe, cylinder 9 2. is detachable from the. housing part 21, the'cylinder can bemade of. a material that 'is a good bearing material in whichthe pistonj91 s1ides, and:

which is ofi the desired density to prevent loss offfluid' under pressure from the highipressure fluid chamber 98, thematerial of the cylinder 92 also being one which will have a high strength coeiiicienttopermit the cylinder wall.

7 to'be relatively thin and still maintainstrengthi'against bursting underhigh hydraulic pressures createdjin the chamber 98 during operation of the hydraulic master cylinder. V

The hydraulic elements 90 that provide the. wheel cylinders, as conventionally known, are .placed on opposite sides of the spindle 11 on theinboardsideof the wheel-1t), the cylinders 90 being exposed to'air passing by the wheel 10. To providefor a lightweight construc; tion'of thehousing member 21; andyet secure rigidity of the' housing against deflection effected by operationpf the brake when hydraulic pressure isideliveredinto the aetuating' units 90, 21: bridging member llfliis'securedrby meansofbolts lll between'the wheel'cylinder bosses 96. The bridging member 110 covers theinboard; end of the spindle 11 and hasa cavity 112 receiving the end of the spindle; The cavity 112: has' a forwardjwalldlb that engages the steering. knuckle support plate 156m completely close'the inboardlend of the sp'indleill' andpr'e vent loss of grease from, the spindle. Ajsuitablejgasket 114' is provided between; the wall 113 and; the support 15;.

4 The wheellt) comprises thejpreviously mentioned rim portion 36 that isintegral with the; Wheel disk125 the wheel disk 125 on the disk and the rim being cast as a one-piece structure. The wheel disk 125 has a plurality of radial ribs 126 between each of which the disk 125 has an inwardly recessed portion 127 that is spaced from the rim portion 36 whereby to provide an air passage opening 130 that is adjacent the outer periphery of the brake disk 30, air being adapted to pass through the opening; 130.jinto engagement with the brake disk 30 to aid in cooling thedisk.

The wheel disk 125' is also provided with an annulus portiorr 131 thatsupports' the wheehltl-omthe'axle flange 132; 01 the axle 1,1; studs133 and =nuts;134 being provided for demountably securing the wheel 19 -to ,thei axle flange 132. Anannular protrusion 1 35. centralizes the V axleflange forconcentricity with the axle 11. i V

A bracket 136 is mountedupon one of the studs 133, a cover plate'137 being supported upon the bracket .136

7 by the retaining screws 7138, The cover plateencloses the nuts 134andproyides for access tothem'.

Whi1e the form of embodiment of the invention as herein'disclosed' constitutes a-preferred formeit is tobe understood that other forms might be adopted as may come within the scope of the claimsgwhich follow.

What is claimed is as follows: p yluln, a disk brake, the combination of; a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having axially spaced radially, disposed rwall' portionsproviding therebetween a space, a disk annulus: positioned in' said space and around said central annular portion, a vehicle wheel encircling said housingl'and disk and having an axle rotatably mounted in; and encircled by'said" central portion of the housing, a plurality of link means between said disk and wheel drivingly supporting saididiskon' said wheel, said plurality of link means pivotally connecting said disk and said wheel, by pin connections, friction means on said housing radial wall portion on oneside of said disk' engageable by said disk', movable brake shoe means between said" disk and the other Of'said'; housing radial wall portions and engageable with'said disk, anchor lic' cylinder sleeve on said housing and a pistonconnected' andalignment meanson said other radial wall portion supporting said movable shoe means, and hydraulically operated actuating'means including a replaceable hydrauwith said movable shoe to: efiect movernent thereof and thereby effect brake operation. 7 I

' 2. A disk brakeiin accordance with' claim .1111; which said link means are detachably connected 'withrsaid wheel wherein said link slidably disengages the pin on said wheel when said wheel'is moved axially relative to said diskto permit demounting of the wheelrelative to the disk brake. 3: In a disk brake, the ;combination of; a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having axially spaced radially disposed wallportions provided therebetween a space; a. disk annulus; positioned in. said space and around said central'annular portion a vehicle wheel encircling said jhousingandj diskand' having an axle rotatably mounted in and encircled by'said central portion of the housing, said wheel having a plurality of pins tween each of said pinsand said disk to supportsaid' disk centrally on said wheel',,saidlinks being movable'axially on said'pinsto provide for axial movement of said'disk relative to said housing, said pins having a smooth cylin- 1 drical portion extending fromisaid wheel to permit .re-

moval of said wheel from said brake when said'wheelis moved relative to said brakedisk, friction means on said housing radial wall portlon on one side ofsaid disk engageable by said disk, movable brake shoemeans between said diskandtheother of said housing radial wall portions and engageable with said' disk, anchor and alignmentmeans on said other radial wall portionxsupporting said movable shoe means, and hydraulically operated actuating means including a cylinder threadedly engaging said housing and forming anactuating chamber with said iifil i i lg ot Operation with a pistonsconnectedwith said movable shoe to effect movement thereof and thereby eflect brake operation.

4. In a disk brake, the combination of, a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having a radially disposed wall portion at one end thereof, a plurality of cylinder means angularly spaced at the opposite end of said central portion extending radially of the said central portion with the axis of the cylinder means parallel with the axis of the said central portion and spaced from the said wall portion whereby to provide a space therebetween and having piston means, each of said plurality of cylinder means having replaceable cylinder sleeves for operation in cooperation with said piston means, a disk annulus positioned in said space and around said central annular portion, a vehicle wheel encircling said housing and disk and having an axle encircled by said central portion of the housing, a plurality of link means between said disk and wheel for driving and supporting said disk on said wheel, friction means on said housing radial wall portion on one side of said disk engageable by said disk, movable brake shoe means between said disk and said cylinder means and engageable with said disk, means forming projections at each side of said cylinder means and connected with said central portion, anchor means in said projections and slidably supporting said movable shoe, and means connecting said piston with said movable shoe to effect movement of the shoe upon movement of the piston within said cylinder to effect brake operation.

5. In a disk brake, the combination of, a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having a radially disposed wall portion at one end thereof, cylinder means at the opposite end of said central portion extending radially of the said central portion at opposite sides thereof with the axis of the cylinder means parallel with the axis of the said central portion and spaced from the said wall portion whereby to provide a space therebetween, said cylinder means including cylindrical openings in said housing adjacent said brake disk, said cylindrical openings having a threaded portion for threadedly receiving replaceable cylinder sleeves, pistons Within said cylinder means for relative axial movement within said cylinder means, a mounting portion extending between said cylinder means and said housing to support the same against deflection relative to said central annular portion, a disk annulus positioned in said space and around said central annular portion, a vehicle wheel encircling said housing and disk and having an axle encircled by said central portion of the housing, a plurality of link means between said disk and wheel for driving and supporting said disk by axially extending pins on said wheel, friction means on said housing radial wall portion on one side of said disk engageable by said disk, movable brake shoe means supported on cylindrical members between said disk and said cylinder means and engageable with said disk, and means connecting said piston with said movable shoe to effect movement of the shoe upon movement of the piston within said cylinder to eflect brake operation.

6. In a disk brake, the combination of, a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having a radially disposed wall portion at one end thereof, cylinder means at the opposite end of said central portion extending radially of said central portion at opposite sides thereof with the axis or the cylinder means parallel with the axis of the said central portion and spaced from the said wall portion whereby to provide a space therebetween and having piston means, a disk annulus positioned in said space and around said central annular portion, a vehicle wheel encircling said housing and disk and having an axle encircled by and rotatably mounted in said central portion of the housing and terminating at the inboard side of said central portion, a cylinder supporting portion extending between said cylinder means to support the same against deflection relative to said central annular portion and provide means covering the terminating end of said axle to prevent access of dirt thereto, a plurality of link means between said disk and wheel drivingly supporting said disk on said wheel, friction means on said housing radial wall portion on one side of said disk engageable by said disk, movable brake shoe means between said disk and said cylinder means supported on members for axial movement of said shoes to engage with said disk, and means connecting said piston with said movable shoe to efiect movement of the shoe upon movement of the piston within said cylinder to effect brake operation.

7. In a disk brake, the combination of, a stationary housing comprising a central annular portion having a radially disposed wall portion at one end thereof, cylinder means at the opposite end of said central portion extending radially of said central portion at opposite sides thereof with the axis of the cylinder means parallel with the axis of said central portion and spaced from the said wall portion whereby to provide a space therebetween and having piston means, a disk annulus positioned in said space and around said central annular portion, a vehicle wheel encircling said housing and disk and having an axle, support means for said axle encircled by said housing central portion and including means stationarily supporting said central portion on said axle support means, said axle terminating at the inboard side of said axle support 'means, a bridging member extending between said cylinder means to support the same against deflection relative to said central annular portion and including means engaging and cooperating with said axle support means to enclose the terminating end of said axle to prevent access of dirt thereto, a plurality of link means between said disk and wheel drivingly supporting and providing slidable axial dismantling of said disk from said wheel, friction means mounted directly on said housing radial wall portion on one side of said disk engageable by said disk, movable brake shoe means between said disk and said cylinder means and engageable with said disk, said brake shoe means slidably connected to said cylinder mounting flange by means of shoe end supports, and means connecting said piston with said movable shoe to effect movement of the shoe upon movement of the piston within said cylinder to effect brake operation.

8. A disk brake in accordance with claim 7 in which said bridging means is demountably secured to said cylinder means for removal for access to the terminating end of said axle.

References Cited in the file of this patent .UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,685,429 Masury Sept. 25, 1928 2,331,159 Ash Oct. 5, 1943 2,349,928 Ash May 30, 1944 2,542,545 Lyman Feb. 20, 1951 2,655,228 Eksergian Oct. 13, 1953 2,655,229 Eksergian Oct. 13, 1953 2,655,237 Benson Oct. 13, 1953 2,732,036 Myers Jan. 24, 1956 2,732,042 Lucker Jan. 24, 1956 2,736,396 Rasmussen et al Feb. 28, 1956 2,753,032 Eason July 3, 1956 2,753,959 Johnson July 10, 1956 2,754,939 Hibbard July 17, 1956 2,768,710 Butler Oct. 30, 1956 Butler Mar. 12, 1957 

